New York: A former New York City official, Dr. Jay Varma, was dismissed from his role at SIGA Technologies after a video surfaced showing him discussing attendance at private gatherings during the pandemic. The video, released by a conservative podcaster, captured Varma talking about attending a sex party and other events while serving as a public health adviser to then-Mayor Bill de Blasio.
Varma, who worked closely with de Blasio from April 2020 to May 2021, played a significant role in shaping the city's COVID-19 response. He was often seen at press briefings, advocating for mask-wearing, regular testing, and vaccinations. Despite his public stance, the video revealed his participation in gatherings that contradicted the city's social distancing guidelines.
In the video, Varma admitted that his actions could have severely undermined the city's efforts if exposed earlier. "It would have been a big deal," he stated. He acknowledged attending multiple private events during his tenure at City Hall, including a hotel gathering in August 2020 with around 8 to 10 people.
The August 2020 event involved attendees using ecstasy and being naked. At that time, New York allowed indoor gatherings of up to 10 people. Varma mentioned taking precautions to avoid detection due to his prominent role in the city's COVID response. Another event he attended was a large dance party under a Wall Street bank in mid-2021.
By May 2021, New York had increased indoor gathering limits to 250 people and lifted most restrictions by June. Despite these changes, Varma expressed concern about being recognized at such events. The video appears to be edited from various secret recordings made during social interactions with an unidentified woman.
SIGA Technologies did not comment on Varma's dismissal. Mayor Eric Adams also refrained from addressing the controversy during a City Hall briefing.